Luci Lesic

Why did you decide to study an MBA?

I decided to do an MBA because I felt like I really lacked that holistic view of the business and the way it operates. Being an accountant, I spent the first few years of my career working in reporting departments. It’s always been after the fact. I really wanted to be able to have the skill set necessary to be a real partner to the business leaders and understand what they need. Doing an MBA, I felt it gave me that holistic view and gave me a baseline across many different modules covering the course.

Did you have any challenges, obstacles or setbacks?

I work full-time and I’m a mum of a seven-year-old. Making sure that I’m committed to the timelines that I planned to spend studying was probably a challenge more halfway through. At the start I was really enthused and really excited to get back into studying. But then, remaining consistent in dedicating small time blocks to studying, that was probably the biggest challenge. Also, making sure that my family life doesn’t suffer either. I was pretty lucky. I have a great support network. My husband took one for the team, so it worked out.

How did you manage your time?

I’ve dedicated an hour every day, five days a week, after my daughter went to sleep. I made sure that there was a good, efficient hour. Not an hour when I’m just doing everything and not what I should have. I would reward myself Saturday and Sunday. I wouldn’t have to do any studying. That really worked for me. It was an incentive, “If I get these five days done, then I’m on track, I’m in line with the timeline suggests I should be doing.”

I spent a lot of time connecting with people globally that were doing the same subjects. When you’re talking to other people and they’re already on module two and you are only on module one, you’re like, “I better put my skates on”. Doing it in smaller time frames, five days a week and doing it consistently, making it much easier.

What did the AIB MBA do for you?

More than anything it gave me confidence, that I now have the skill set to find solutions to the problems or challenges that I’m faced with at work. I developed that lateral thinking so that I am able to come down to the core of an issue and find a solution. Also, provide me with the baseline on what I should know to be able to partner to the marketing manager and to HR manager, and understand their different needs.

Having a Bachelor’s in Business, and I’ve done a CPA before this, I don’t think I really had that. I felt like for what I wanted to do in my career that it was crucial that I develop those skills.

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